Duranta environmental weed removal at Federal Community Preschool grounds has been postponed to Sunday, 18th of June, from 9:30 am. All welcome to come and help. We have 10 pairs of loppers to share. Thick leather gloves are needed, as it has large thorns. Meet at 898 Binna Burra Road, FEDERAL NSW 2480 and walk around the back. The event was programmed for today, Monday12th of June, however it has been cancelled due to the wet weather.

Mandala Diehl, Federal Community Preschool coordinator, has contacted Byron Shire Chemical Free Landcare, as an option for chemical free weed management, as she does not want to use any chemicals around the school property. She has developed a native food garden and would like to see it expanded, however there are many environmental weeds to be removed from the site. The event on the 18th of June, will be only the first one. We hope to remove the Duranta, which is urgent, for health and safety reasons, and then we will look into grants to do the whole area weed management chemical free.

Duranta erecta or repens, are native to Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. They are popular nursery plants, that have become environmental weeds. The seeds are highly poisonous to pets and children, with one death of a 2.5 year old child being recorded in Queensland. We will prune the plant and remove it from the ground with the tree poppers, a mechanical tool design to remove woody weeds.

Please wear boots, long sleeved shirt and long pants, a hat, gloves, and bring water, rain coat and some morning tea. Tools and first aid kit will be provided. Please call 0478272300 to find us if you come later.